AT FIRST GLANCE WORKSHEET
This worksheet will help you develop an initial analysis of the content and design of the President’s Vision
poster on Thomas Jefferson. Carefully examine the poster, then write your answers to the following
questions on a separate sheet of paper.
TAKING A FIRST GLANCE
1. When did Thomas Jefferson serve as U.S. president? How many terms did he serve?
2. The poster features an excerpt from Jefferson’s first inaugural address. Rewrite the quotation in your
own words.
TAKING A KNOWLEDGE INVENTORY
3. What do you know about Thomas Jefferson?
4. What would you like to learn about Jefferson and his presidency?
READING THE NARRATIVE
5. Name two reasons why Jefferson’s election was significant.
6. List several achievements of his presidency.
7. Why was Jefferson’s decision to cut taxes considered consistent with his Republican principles?
8. What challenges did Jefferson face in his second term? What did he hope to achieve with the Embargo
Act of 1807?
9. How does this narrative add to your understanding of Jefferson?
STUDYING THE POSTER DESIGN
10. List all of the graphic elements (such as paintings, documents, and images) that the designer used to
create the poster.
11. As you scan the poster, what image catches your attention first? Why are you drawn to this image?
12. Consider the work of the poster’s designer. List three important choices that he or she made in
designing this poster. Explain why each is important.
EXAMINING THE IMAGES
13. The images on the lower half of the poster are arranged in three vertical columns. Write a headline for
each column that describes its main topic. How do these three stories of Jefferson’s presidency help us
better understand him as a historical figure?
14. Use the poster to determine three characteristics of the United States during the years that Jefferson
served as president.
UNDERSTANDING JEFFERSONʼS VISION
15. In two or three sentences, describe the vision that guided Jefferson during his terms in office.
For related educational resources, visit www.presidentsvision.org